Fujifilm XF1 review

The latest in Fujifilm's retro styled X series of premium-build compacts

by
Gavin Stoker
| 28 Jan 13

Min specs: 12 megapixel effective resolution

ISO12800

3.0-inch LCD

Full HD movie capability

manual operation 4x optical zoom

dimensions of 107.9x61.5x33mm

weighs 225g with battery and card

Should I buy the Fujifilm XF1?

Expert's rating:

This is a snapshot camera that is a cut above the rest, so should draw attention from snappers looking to upgrade as well as owners of bulkier cameras seeking a more pocket-friendly back up.

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Fujifilm XF1
full review

With camera-incorporating smartphones eviscerating the market for simpler snapshots, Fuji is another manufacturer reacting by going high-end. The XF1 is the latest in its gorgeously retro styled ‘X’ series of premium-build compacts. Unlike the previously reviewed X-Pro1 and X-E1, the XF1 omits both a dash in its name plus the ability to swap its optically stabilised 25-100mm equivalent lens. But, as with rivals here, the 12 megapixel, 2/3-inch sensor camera boasts a bright/fast maximum f/1.8 aperture plus, more unusually, a manually controlled 4x optical zoom, so maintaining appeal for those who like to get hands on. The XF1 isn’t just about such semi pro features though, as its cool styling with leather-effect finish attempts to broaden the X-series appeal beyond high-end amateurs, being narrower if slightly more elongated than Canon’s G15. Locking on target in 0.16 seconds, it resembles something you might see in a spy thriller set in Cold War era Berlin.

To activate the aluminium bodied camera, and seemingly to highlight that zooming in or out is wholly by hand rather than via mechanics, users have to go through a slightly eccentric process of unlocking the lens then pulling it slightly proud of the body and rotating it before the XF1 will power up. Surely the usual on/off button would have been simpler and faster.

There is certainly room for one on the spare-looking top plate that does thankfully include a dime-sized shooting mode dial plus a small pop up flash that, like the Canon, also requires manual activation. Like that model maximum light sensitivity is ISO12800.

There’s no optical or electronic viewfinder here; just the regular 3-inch LCD taking up two thirds of the otherwise leather effect backplate, which in practice seems brighter and clearer than its now relatively modest 460k dot resolution suggests. Also welcome are street price currently almost £100 cheaper than the £399 recommended by its manufacturer on launch.